You did a double-take, didn’t you? You were expecting to read Spider-Gwen at the end of that superlative statement, weren’t you?

Ugh.

Colder: Bad Seed #5 (Dark Horse): Nimble Jack is back, baby! Maybe that’ll add a little oomph to an otherwise lethargic exercise. Tobin and Ferreyra cultivated a creepy tone early on but kind of got stuck in one place. Man, I’d give the finger to this series, but I’d be worried about getting it back.

Mister X: Razed #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N and I&N Demand It’s the first time a book has earned both enviable distinctions! Oh, yeah, baby! Mister X is back, and we couldn’t be any more excited! One reason–and it’s a good one: back in 2013, Dean Motter delivered the brilliant Mr. X: Eviction, which earned the coveted #1 spot on our highly respected Top Ten list, beating out the likes of Mind MGMT, Six-Gun Gorilla, and Saga. Now that’s gotta tell you something. Can’t wait to see what Mr. Motter has to tell us this time around.

Mister X: Razed #1

Bodies #8 (DC/Vertigo): Gosh. #1 hit the shelves with such promise. Unfortunately, the damn thing collapsed under its own weight and, as a result, has been a four-pronged slog ever since. Glad it’s over.

Suiciders #1 (DC/Vertigo): Lee Bermejo’s doing his own thing. Would be silly not to try it.

Low #6 (Image): I’m still pretty high on Low. Remender’s not ringing my bell anywhere else; but this diving bell of a book is tintinnabulous!

ODY-C #3 (Image): This gender-bending blitz on Homer’s epic is a damn siren’s song; it’s a party with the local lotophagi. Didn’t dig it so much after the first issue. Good thing I stuck around.

Rasputin #5 (Image): I’m riding it out ’til the end of the arc. There isn’t much here that’s keeping my interest.

They’re Not Like Us #3 (Image) I&N Demand Deadly Class only wishes it was this good. How would you act if you had superpowers? Eric Stephenson’s got the answer. Heck, it’s like a team full of feisty and rather petty Ozymandiases. What’s going to happen when the stakes get raised? Can’t wait to find out.

They’re Not Like Us #3

The Wicked & The Divine #8 (Image) I&N Demand The book’s got attitude. Yeah, this book’s a real bitch–a beautiful, effing bitch–one you’ve just desperate to have. But even when you have it, you don’t really have it; it has you.

The Wicked & The Divine #8

All-New X-Men #38 (Marvel): Chapter 4 of “The Black Vortex” crossover. Yeah, I’m out of that loop. Probably going to leave it on the shelf. Hindsight is 22/22: should’ve done the same with the Ultimate waste of an arc.

Daredevil #13 (Marvel): Despite some strong work from Chris Samnee, the Stunt-Master arc wasn’t particularly exciting. Reminds that Waid’s missed the mark some since making the move to the Left Coast. This issue kicks off the final chapter of Waid and Samnee’s run. I say perfect timing. Speaking of perfect: how about Samnee’s cover:

Daredevil #13

Darth Vader #2 (Marvel): #1 was fine. Was the Force with it? Not so sure about that. Got to give Gillen another go-round to see just how dark his helmet gets.

Men Of Wrath #5 (Marvel/Icon): I’ve enjoyed it enough. Father-son stories always hit me where it hurts. It’s like “Cat’s in the Cradle” but the cat’s been blown to furry bits by a blast of buckshot. “When you comin’ home son, I don’t know when, but I’ll fill you full of lead, dad, you know I’ll shoot you in the head…”

Abigail and the Snowman #3 (BOOM!): My daughter’s kind of scared of the Snowman. She has to convince herself that it’s just a cartoon–the same way she talks herself down when Marshmallow shows up in Frozen. Still she’s made it her pick of the week.

This week isn’t defined so much by the number of books I’m getting as it’s defined by one particular book I’m getting. You’ll know which one when you get to it. So much for self control!

The Massive #26 (Dark Horse): Winding down to the end. (I’m still in denial about it, mind you.) #25 was OK–tough to be the first issue after an arc that truly slakes the thirst like “Sahara”–but had that “setting up the wind down” feel to it. Silver lining: answers are on the horizon.

Mind MGMT #25 (Dark Horse): Can’t type about #24 without first mentioning the gorgeous wraparound cover–which, by the way, was won at auction by some lucky fan for a smidgen over $5000: I got Lyme disease just looking at it! Inside, a bit of a retrospective, more a Rosetta Stone–all through the lens of Henry Lyme, who’s heart is so lovingly revealed–and it’s Merutiful!. Loved it. OK, so, the big question about this month’s issue: how much is this cover going to go for?

Mind MGMT #25

Pop #1 (Dark Horse):This poppy premise is definitely Top 40: a prefabbed pop princess goes off the reservation! Will she auto-tune her way out of trouble? Or will she go full Milli Vanilli? Don’t know the creators, but when has that ever stopped me? Here’s hoping that Curt Pires and Jason Copland deliver a hit–and that they’re not one-hit wonders.

Pop #1

Bodies #2 (DC/Vertigo): Loved, loved, loved the quilt that Si Spencer stitched together with his coterie of co-creators. We liked it so much that we’ve made it one of our Top 5 Books of July! (Write-up to come.)

Bodies #2

Dead Boy Detectives #8 (DC/Vertigo): Continues to be an engaging read a la The Books of Magic ongoing.

Superman #34 (DC): Finally! A Superman book worth reading! It’s felt like forever since Morrison left and took his massive moments with him. Two issues into their arc, Johns and Romita, Jr. have proven that they are worthy successors–even if they are a bit more straightforward in terms of storytelling.

The Last Fall #2 (IDW): Wasn’t knocked out by #1, but I’m going to try another. Why? Since you asked: I’m giving Tom Waltz my attention because of his terrific work on TMNT. I’m loyal like that.

Low #2 (Image): Not high on this but not exactly low, either. Yes, #1 read like a Remender book; but Greg Tocchini’s art, which is pretty excellent, made me think but not mind that I was basically reading The Wake Part II #1. I’m going to go against my better judgement and buy this one. I don’t know–maybe this’ll be the book that finally turns me toward Remender. Then again, the writer’s own words from #1 haunt–and taunt–me; they are essentially telling me to lay off: “Being optimistic doesn’t mean you have to ignore the realities around you.” Preach, Reverend Rick. Preach.

Low #2

The Manhattan Projects #23 (Image): In #22, Hickman refers to a “line between the mundane and the divine.” Usually, TMP is firmly planted on the divine side; it’s as consistent a book as you’re going to find. However, much of #22 toes that ironically referenced line; in fact, it does a much-too-talky tip-toe dance for a goodly part of the book. But, in typical Hickman fashion, it ends elegantly on pointe. And blade. And spike.

Outcast #3 (Image): The story is compelling enough, with its layers and all. Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta–whose art, as colored by Elizabeth Breitweiser, reminds of David Aja’s–have done a fine job of developing a sense of dread–you know, the seventh sense–and authentic sympathy for Kyle.

Saga #22 (Image): Honesty: #19 and #20 left me a bit wanting; yeah, hadn’t been feeling so gaga about Saga–until #21, that is. Oof, what a comeback. (Not so much for Mama Sun, though, eh?) Five big splashes from Fiona Staples help hammer home the love, the hate, the hurt–the brilliance—of Saga.

Saga #22

Wayward #1 (Image): Marketed as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a new generation,” but gonna give it a try anyway. God knows I love a me a good “supernatural spectacle,” you know, like the supernaturally terrific Thomas Alsop (BOOM!).

All-New X-Men #31 (Marvel): Still haven’t gotten a hold of #30. Figures that just as I came around to what Bendis is doing I can’t find the damn book on the shelf. My fault, I guess. I should’ve put it on my pull list as soon as things turned toward the positive for me.

Original Sin #5.4 (Marvel): Once again, a crossover has come along and murdered momentum–in the case of Loki: Agent of Asgard, magical momentum. It’s been nice to look at; otherwise, I can’t wait for this nonsense to fall away so we can get back on the alluringly loqucious Lokimotive.

Silver Surfer #5 (Marvel): We’ve celebrated each of the first three issues as a top book of the month. (See: March, April, and June.) #4 was great, too; but, because of all of the greater books that dropped in July, it missed being a Top 5 book. It was easily a Top 10 title, though. Despite a dignified drop in the I&N rankings, one thing’s been a constant: SS has been a perfect marriage of writer and artist: Slott’s writing the new adventures of Norrin Radd like it was his professional destiny, and Allred’s, well, Allred: he is the power cosmic complement who makes the book pop–for as long as they both shall live. Or at least until their hang-tenure is over.

Silver Surfer #5

Brass Sun #4 (2000 A.D.): I’m digging Brass Sun. I like the possibilities offered up by the universe that Ian Edginton’s created, and I’ve really taken to artist I.N.J. Culbard’s approach and how carries the story without ever distracting from it. #3, with its twists and spurns, has kicked things up a notch. On to the next!

Evil Empire #4 (BOOM!): Speaking of a #3 that delivered some twists! Glad I didn’t ditch after #2! Can’t look past the great covers by Jay Shaw, either. Then again, you have to, you know, if you want to read the book. Rest assured: it’s OK if you want to judge Evil Empire by this cover:

Evil Empire #4

The Sixth Gun #42 (Oni Press): Still a bit behind. This’ll sit on a short stack, which I will–i must–read before I go back to work.

X-O Manowar #28 (Valiant): Generally, I don’t care for crossovers, but the Armor Hunters diversion works well here, for obvious reasons. Sure, Archer & Armstrong and Quantum and Woody deserve the accolades they’ve received. (Harvey noms are nothing to sneeze at.) Robert Venditti, however, deserves a lot of credit for playing a one-note character into a symphony of sympathy, which has lasted, now, for twenty-eight issues.

Avery’s Pick of the Week:

Bee and Puppycat #3 (BOOM!): Avery just thinks that Bee and Puppycat is the dog’s meow.

This is not a drill: I will be buying no fewer than three Action Labs books this week. To make room for them–and a sexy hardcover that I can’t possibly pass up–in the ol’ bag, I’m considering a couple of high-profile drops (Sex Criminals, Starlight). Also looking forward to some reinvigorated interest (Zero) and an awkwardly-named under-the-radar book–the terrific Thomas Alsop–that’ll make your bag go BOOM!

Dark Ages #1 (Dark Horse): New series from prolific Brit writer Dan Abnett and artist I.N.J. Culbard. They’re offering a take on the Dark Ages that’s a bit alien to us. Dark Horse is offering a preview here. I’m enjoying Culbard’s work on 2000 AD’s Brass Sun, so I figure I’ll give this one a try.

Astro City #14 (DC/Vertigo): With #13, Busiek and Anderson showed us a real good time: 24 hours’ worth of finely fractured Astro City action–a puzzle with the final piece placed oh so perfectly.

Astro City #14

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #37 (IDW): Shredder and Krang? How’s that going to work out? This “stand alone” promises to provide the answer. Standing in for Mateus Santolouco is Corey Smith, who’s been doing some solid work on Dynamite’s Magnus: Robot Fighter.

Sex Criminals #7 (Image): Congrats to Fraction, Zdarsky, and Image on the Eisner for Best New Series. OK. Enough of that. I wasn’t overly–or underly–impressed with #6. It felt like a conversation I could’ve had with my buddies, which is fine, you know, its playing nostalgic notes and all; but is that what I want out of a comic book? Well, that’s pretty much what the series has been from the get-go, and, if I’m being honest, what caught my interest initially. That interest, however, has waned, again, because, in the end, this isn’t a comic book as much as it’s, as the narrative knowingly reveals by disintegrating the fourth wall, an occasionally clever conversation that would be better suited as a blog or a podcast. The “criminal” contrivance has been the comic book bait; but in the end, it’s the sex talk that sells, and I’m not buying it anymore. Probably not.

Starlight #5 (Image): #4 was so far from the promise of #1 that I’m figuring Millar’ll never get back to it. He’s fallen to formula, as usual, and, as a result, I’m leaning toward passing–as usual. Sucks, too. #1 was so damn good.

Zero #10 (Image): Speaking of living up to promise: Ales Kot’s back on track after delivering a very affecting #9, which worked its way to a Sophie’s Choice moment played out with a painfully pregnant page turn. And now as I’m warming back up to Zero, it’s off to Iceland.

Zero #10

All-New X-Men #30 (Marvel): #29 was non-stop action rendered mostly in shades of Cyclops’s signature ruby red, which helped to sell a still suffering Scott Summers. Happy to say, I’m still high on how Bendis is handling the X-ceptionally large cast of characters. With all the time travel stuff going on, the most significant journey is the one I’m taking: Bendis and crew are reminding of what made the X-Men so good for so long–and what I, as a Claremont-reared X-reader loved about ’em.

The United States of Murder Inc. #4 (Marvel): A killer series all around. I had my doubts after the first issue; but #2 and #3 have been a double tap to the head.

Archer & Armstrong #23 (Valiant): Fred Van Lente is doing it his way all the way to the end, my beautiful friend, the end–of “American Wasteland.” I wrote about #21 here, and #22 was a mighty fine follow-up that is in the running for our Top 5 of July. Can’t wait to see how the arc plays out. I just know I’m gonna love it madly!

Archer & Armstrong #24

Armor Hunters #3 (Valiant): So far, so good. Doesn’t claim to be anything more than what it is.

The F1rst Hero #1 (Action Labs): On the strength of the deific Dry Spell, I’m trying any and all Action Labs books that I can find. I don’t know the creators, but when has that ever stopped me?

Midnight Tiger #1 (Action Labs): Ditto. Brings to mind Danny Fingeroth and Mike Manley’s stab at an all-new teen hero back in the early ’90s: Darkhawk. That book ran for fifty issues. How many will DeWayne Feenstra and Ray-Anthony Height end up with?

Southern Dog #1 (Action Labs/Danger Zone): Double ditto. Expected: immediately calls to mind Southern Bastards and, of all things, Ms. Marvel. Comparisons are inevitable. Most interesting of the three Action Labs titles–even if, in the end, it’s a werewolf book. The last werebook I read–which just so happened to have Riley Rossmo on it–was the underwhelming Cursed (BOOM!).

Thomas Alsop #3 (BOOM!): Thomas Alsop. The name doesn’t really ring, but don’t let that fool you: this book is friggin’ great. In fact, we’re calling #2 one of our Top 5 Books of July. One of these days, we’ll get around to the write up. Until then, be sure to pick this up–if only to see how well Chris Miskiewicz and Palle Schmidt balance the present and the past.

Thomas Alsop #3

The Heart of the Beast HC (Dynamite): The team of Judith Dupré (author of Skyscrapers, an award-winning book about, well, skyscrapers, don’t ya know!), Dean Motter (creator of the Innie Award-winningMister X: Eviction), and Sean Phillips (artist of Brubaker-ian proportions; see: Fatale, Criminal, Incognito, and the soon-to-be-released The Fade Out.) make this book–celebrating its 20th Anniversary–a Must Buy.

Avery’s Picks of the Week:

Littlest Pet Shop #4 (IDW): The littlest pets are big on fun!

Doodle Jump #3 (Dynamite): My daughter’s been known to drop everything only to exclaim, “I’m a ninja!” She’s also kind of obsessed with American Ninja Warrior. She creates her own obstacles and attacks them, only to jump off into the “water,” which, of course, is a win. I love my little ninja!

Astro City #13 (DC/Vertigo): While #11 earned Top 5 honors for April, #12 left us wanting. We’re still wanting–wanting #13 to make us want for nothing. I’m betting on Busiek and Anderson and their single-issue, Astro City version of a season of 24.

Astro City #13

Royals: Masters of War #5 (DC/Vertigo): Rob Williams had himself a helluva month of May. Ordinary #1 was extraordinary, and Royals #4 was a crowning achievement! A little inside info: you just may see Mr. Williams’ name on our next Top 5 list. For which book? You’ll just have to wait and see! Until then, bombs away!

Royals: Masters of War #5

Starlight #4 (Image): A stellar first issue has fallen a bit to formula. Typical of Millar, no? Sell that concept! Sell, sell, sell! Worthy of praise: it’s been on time. That’s something! Aw, heck: of course I want to see how Flash–I mean, Duke–gets out of this scrape!

All-New X-Men #28 (Marvel): I’ve finally come ’round–or is it that Bendis has finally come ’round? Hmm. Probably a bit of both. Just like any good–or evil–mutant, it takes time for their powers to manifest; this mutant manifesto just so happened to reach puberty at #26. Phew. This has been–by far–the longest leash I’ve ever let out.

The United States of Murder #2 (Marvel): Speaking of Bendis: #1 wasn’t a game changer by any means, but I found the twist at the end enough of a lure to go at least one more.

Armor Hunters #1 (Valiant): Of course I’m gonna try it! Venditti has sold it well enough in X-O.

Dicks #1 (Avatar): Ennis, McCrea, and Avatar? Seems like a menage a trois made in a seedy apartment. Fast forward to next month, assuming the best, of course: Well, wouldn’t you know: turns out I do like Dicks! I know at least one ex-girlfriend, who, short on context, would say, “Mm-hmm.”

The Empty Man #1 (BOOM!): Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Magneto)–a fella who’s full of ideas–teams up with Vanesa Del Rey (Hit)–a striking stylist, who’s in need of a strong showing after a disappointing turn on Zero–to infect our bags with a viral mini.

Uber #14 (Avatar): #13 was a very different Uber story. Sure, it was a big ol’ cliche; but that’s OK: Katyusha is a character that just tugs at your heartstrings–and rips your heart through your ribs and blows the rest of you to bits. Gotta love her and what Gillen’s been doing with Uber.

Avery’s Pick of the Week:

Bee and Puppycat #2 (BOOM!): #1 was a winner–though Grammy was a bit concerned about Puppycat: “It’s just…unnatural!” Get over it, Grandma! Avery likes it!

Justice League United #1 (DC): #0 didn’t grab me in any way, but I’m going to give it another shot anyway. Jeff Lemire’s earned that–though not so much with his hero books. While Animal Man started off well enough–and we said as much by making it one of our top books of 2012–it kind of lost its way during and after the “Rotworld” crossover with Swamp Thing and never lived up to its promise. His run on Justice League Dark wasn’t spectacular; and I couldn’t get past the second issue of his current–and surprisingly well-regarded–run on Green Arrow. Trillium was mostly a success, highlighted by some terrific visual storytelling. The story itself–well, not so much: I really wanted to connect to the characters and their plight but, alas, found that I could not. Come to think of it, we did celebrate his Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.–and rightfully so; it was pretty terrific. We’ll see what happens here. Expectations aren’t very high.

Royals: Masters of War #4 (DC/Vertigo): Has been OK. #3 was definitely better than an impatiently paced #2, that’s for sure. Feels like the overly coddled child of Montynero and Michael Dowling’s Death Sentence and Kieron Gillen and Canaan White’s Uber. Doesn’t quite live up to either.

Shutter #2 (Image): Leaning toward passing mainly because there wasn’t much about #1 that I liked. In fact, I hated the ending. I’ll flip through this one just to be fair.

Starlight #3 (Image): The series has been very good. #1 was great. #2 was a decent follow-up. The most remarkable quality of the series thus far? It’s been on time! Hey, is this really a Mark Millar book? Love, love, love Goran Parlov’s art, which transports me back–not too far back, mind you–to the fabulous Fury: My War Gone By, which was one of our top books of 2013and has been nominated for the 2014 Innie for Best Limited Series. So, perhaps I’m predisposed to liking this series for that reason. Could also be that I’m predisposed to liking well-written stories that deliver sentimentality with a tender hand. Millar has certainly done that with Starlight–so far, anyway.

Starlight #3

Stray Bullets: Killers #3 (Image): A transcendent #1 was followed by a mediocre #2. Here’s hoping that this one returns to form–the form we’ve come to expect from David Lapham.

Stray Bullets: Killers #3

All-New X-Men #27 (Marvel): The scene that brought together Jean and present-day Cyclops was an effective one–one of the best of the series. It’s those little flashes of Bendis brilliance that keep me coming back for more.

Quantum and Woody #10 (Valiant): Continues to be a lot of fun. How’s this for a comparison: it’s the Rat Queens of the Valiant Universe, just, you know, done up a tad more tastefully–if that’s even possible.

Uber #13 (Avatar): Finally read #11. (A pull list problem, if you must know.) It was the best single issue of the series and has reignited my excitement in what Gillen’s doing with his twist on WWII.

Batman Eternal #4 (DC): Your eyes are not deceiving you: I’m still on board! #3 offered up enough to keep me interested. I only wish I knew who is responsible for the parts I like…

Southern Bastards #1 (Image): I’m willing to give this a shot because I liked what Jason Aaron did on Wolverine and the X-Men–until the AvX crossover nonsense. Haven’t read Scalped, but, like you, I’ve heard good things.

Hulk #2 (Marvel): I actually passed on #1 the week it came out. Picked it up last week, however, because Derek recommended it. Good call. Waid is always worth a shot; and in this case his new direction for Dr. Banner read a lot like Busiek’s Astro City, with the focus on the surgeon and his ethical dilemma.

Silver Surfer #2 (Marvel): We loved Silver Surfer #1! In fact, we celebrated it as our #5 book of March!

Silver Surfer #2

Doc Savage #5 (Dynamite): I’ve finally caught up–meaning: I read the first four over the weekend. I’m glad I piled them up without having read one; this is pretty good stuff! Also reads a bit like Astro City. And that ain’t a bad thing.

Rachel Rising #25 (Abstract Studio): One of our favorite series took quite a step back with #24. It was such a significant step in the wrong direction that we called it our Biggest Dis(appointment) of March. You know we’re hoping for a comeback–for Terry Moore to rise to the level we’ve come to love.

Rachel Rising #25

Rai #1 (Valiant): Matt Kindt kicks off another Valiant title: the return of Rai! OK, so, I don’t know anything about Rai; but I know from Kindt, and I dig ‘im lots. Not that Unity’s been great or anything. Mind MGMT, however, has earned Kindt lifetime Must Try status.

Astro City #10 (DC/Vertigo): Busiek’s Winged Victory tour has been a revelation! Hope it soars right to the end.

Royals: Masters of War #2 (DC/Vertigo): #1 was a jolly good show! Rob Williams’ characters were instantly engaging; and Simon Coleby’s art was terrific, like Jae Lee with more detail and without the reliance on silhouettes. Together, they’ve delivered a well-rounded opening salvo filled with “awe,” “exhilaration,” “excitement,” and “fear.” Has a depth that separates it from the very similar Uber, which just so happens to be on tap this week, as well.

Monster & Madman #1 (IDW): Frankenstein’s monster and Jack the Ripper together in the same book? Oh, and Steve Niles as the facilitator? Yes, please!

Monster & Madman #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #32 (IDW): Ross Campbell’s surprisingly strong run on the post-“City Fall” arc comes to an end. Good news, though: one of our favorites, the terrific Mateus Santolouco, is back with #33!

East of West #10 (Image): A compelling read that has really started to take off. It’s a solid showcase for Hickman’s serious side, which is a nice counterpoint to his maniacal The Manhattan Projects.

Stray Bullets: Killers #1 (Image): Gonna have to stick this on the ol’ Catch Up pile because…

Stray Bullets Uber Alles Edition (Image): I recently read the first four issues of Stray Bullets on Dave Lapham’s website. Have been waiting for this bad boy ever since. Thanks to my man Derek for pointing me in this direction.

Fantastic Four #2 (Marvel): I’m a fair fella. I put The All-New Invaders out of my mind–only after a bit of a purple purge–and jumped into James Robinson’s reboot of The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine with the optimism of an innocent. As it turned out, it wasn’t bad. It wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t bad. Robinson–one of our favorite writers of 2012–set the terms of his take on the cosmic quartet–with fine art from Leonard Kirk–and did so well enough for me to follow along. 4 Now! anyway.

Hawkeye #17 (Marvel): Sure, we’re bee-bopping around a bit, but it doesn’t matter much: wherever Fraction fires his arrows on Hawkeye, they hit the mark emphatically. This departure from the deafening events of #15 promises to be “a raucously adorable and hilarious animated adventure.” Sock it to me!

Secret Avengers #1 (Marvel): The secret’s out: Ales Kot and Michael Walsh are teaming up again (see Zero #1 or the recently released Zero TP) for an Avengers title that I’m really looking forward to. No, really.

Secret Avengers #1

X-Force #2 (Marvel): I didn’t really love #1. Heck, I barely liked it. But I’m going to give it another issue because Si Spurrier has earned my not-so-easily-earned loyalty. (Yes, I’m still riding the high of the meticulously meta Six-Gun Gorilla, one of our favorite books of 2013.)

Death Sentence #6 (Titan): No hyperbole here: this is one issue away from cementing itself as the mini to beat for 2014. Writer Montynero’s made himself a must-read–the result of his brilliant storytelling, his unforgettable characters and his insightful back matter. Mike Dowling’s art–which calls to mind the fabulous Sean Phillips–is the perfect complement to Montynero’s wild, wild words. If you foolishly missed out on this rocking good time, fret not: there’s always the trade.

Uber #10 (Avatar): Still solid. Wondering how long Gillen’s going to go with it. Wonder how long he can go on with it. Fair or not: I’m going to be holding it to Royals: Masters of War. It’s the nature of the business, ain’t it? Yeah, comics are hell.

Unity #5 (Valiant): Looking forward to the new arc, which has not been billed as Kindt, CAFU, and you. Man, it should’ve been.

Welcome to our newest feature: I&N the Gutter with Scott and Derek, where we go all Siskel and Ebert on some poor, unsuspecting comic book. What you’ll find here are brief snippets of (mostly) unedited transcripts from our never-ending conversations about comics; the raw, unfiltered stuff from which the rest of our writing on the site springs. What it may lack in eloquence we hope it makes up for in spontaneity. Please let us know your thoughts and feel free to chime in!

Backstory:Safe Haven is a survivalist camp, stockpiling supplies for what they believe is the imminent apocalypse. It’s a mentality the children of the camp absorbed all too well: convinced that the greatest threat to their survival are their own parents, they slaughter them. Lucas, their leader, tries to hold them all together, but tensions are growing, secrets leaking, and further blood has been shed. All very Lord of the Flies. We join events after issue 5, when the outside world has come a-knockin’.

Discussed: patricide, letters pages, narcolepsy

Derek Mainhart: So, I have to disgree with you about Sheltered.

Scott Carney: Really?

DM: I quite enjoyed it. I thought it was the strongest issue they’ve had since the first one. I really liked it cause its the beginning, the creators set something up and then they blow it up, which is what they did in the first issue. In this case they’re bringing in this guy from the outside world. And I liked his backstory. I enjoyed getting to know him and his loser friends. And then, you know, the sort of expected happens, and now he’s on the run.

SC: I found myself not caring. I fall asleep when I read comics.

DM: Never a good sign.

SC: It doesnt always mean something. Sometimes I’m just reading and I recline and I just pass out. I did fall asleep a couple of times here though, and I do think it was because I wasn’t so terribly engaged. I don’t really care about any of the characters at this point. I understand why he brought in the new characters. I mean after having gone through five issues of developing this little kid-run society after slaughtering the adults and whatnot, and all the conflicts that are extant there, and now to step out of that for a moment and bring in the adult world a little bit more – a very innocent adult world too if you compare it to where the kids are –

DM: – Right. the guys basically an idiot. –

SC: – yeah – “hey I could use some help over here!” kinda thing. But I think if we look at it in terms of the innocence/experience thing then it starts to take on a role. But do I care about it? And if I’m measuring it that way, I didnt really care about it.

DM: Well if you don’t care about it then you don’t care about it. It’s time to drop it.

SC: Well I dont know about that.

DM: One of the things I liked about the most recent Manifest Destiny, in the letters column – it’s great, funny – but they also talk about their comic reading habits; how they stack their books and what they read first and what the read last; y’know the crap we talk about all the time. And one of them says something like “as soon as it becomes a chore, I’m done”. And I completely agree.

SC: I’ve been saying that with All-New X-Men for 21 issues.

(laughter)

DM: But I liked the switch. The way it ended last issue with the adults coming in shining lights on the camp, they seemed like a threat. But Brisson did a nice job this issue showing that they’re really not a threat at all. And now he’s going to be tracked down by, yknow, kids.

SC: True.

DM: I hope it doesnt become a five issue arc of them tracking this guy, going all Shaolin Cowboy on us yknow, five issues of them just running around in the woods.

SC: That would be awful.

DM: That would be enough to turn me off. I can deal with one issue of that. What I’m hoping happens is that somehow this will complicate things. Like, does this whole series have to be these kids in a bunker? Where does it go? If it ends up, they shoot the guy, status quo, yeah thats not good. Then theyre just spinning their wheels.

SC: Yeah, what’s the point?

DM: Like Revival

SC: Top Ten book!

(chuckle)

DM: So, the big question: Will you pick up the next issue? I’m def still in.

The Massive #19 (Dark Horse): Brian Wood and Garry Brown have a long way to go to outdo what they did with “Longship,” the finest arc of the series thus far. Could cut the tension with a harpoon–and just barely! But they’ve got plenty of wind in their sails and Arkady–an even bigger threat than the great white whaler, Bors Bergsen–on deck, so I’m betting on better.

Mind MGMT #18 (Dark Horse): We celebrated Mind MGMT as our #2 book of 2013 and issue #17 as the Best Single Issue of 2013. Well, wouldn’t you know, the Year of the Snake comes to a close in the jungle, the mighty jungle, where an agent sleeps tonight…

Wonder Woman #27 (DC): We’re through twenty-seven mostly solid issues and where have we gotten? No, really: someone please tell me why I should keep buying this! It was good just ain’t good enough anymore. Something to consider: if I drop this and Suicide Squad–once Kindt’s run is over–I’ll be down to one New 52 book. One. Sad–especially with Marvel’s All-New effort to inject excitement back into their brand with big names and tempting titles. Umm, I guess, in a way, I’m kind of calling for a Newer 52.

Bedlam #11 (Image): It’s taken me this long to suss Spencer out. But now that I have, I feel fully invested in Fillmore’s story and have no good reason to ditch.

Dead Body Road #2 (Image): While I wasn’t blown away by #1, I like Justin Jordan enough to give it another shot. If it doesn’t live up to expectations, I’ll bag it and tag it, put it in a box, and say good-bye.

Deadly Class #1 (Image): Thing is, I really don’t like Rick Remender enough to give any of his books any kind of shot. Captain America‘s a disaster in any dimension, Uncanny Avengers was unreadable from the get-go, and Black Science gave me every reason to disbelieve in Remender and in his ability to create a world of worth.To sharpen my point: the premise of this book sounds a lot like Five Weapons–also from Image–doesn’t it? Ugh. And after all that, I’ll probably still buy it.

Zero #5 (Image): #4 was brilliant. In fact, it solidified Zero as one of our Top Ten Books of 2013. Ales Kot and his coterie of artists have so far delivered four fantastic stanzas of versified violence! And to think the epic has just begun!

X-Men #9 (Marvel): The addition of the Dodsons has been a Godsend. They’ve double-handedly drawn me back in.

Eternal Warrior #5 (Valiant): I’m leaning toward dropping it. Hasn’t been bad. Just don’t think I’m into it enough. Feel like I’m buying it out of loyalty for Valiant. Not a good enough reason to part with $4–not anymore.

Astro City #8 (DC/Vertigo): #7 was no small Victory. It was very, very good. Bold statement of the week: Kurt Busiek’s the best storyteller in the DC stable. Is anyone even close?

Astro City #8

Suicide Squad #27 (DC): Kindt has revealed that nothing lasts Forever–including his time on Suicide Squad. I appreciate what he’s done; but when he’s done, so am I.

Indestructible #2 (IDW): There was something interesting–though not nearly indestructible–about the first one. Leaning toward passing on it. I mean, look at this list, for goodness sake! I can’t buy everything, folks!

A Voice in the Dark #3 (Image): From Larime Taylor’s mouth to our eyes. Truly remarkable. #2 was a compelling ask-questions-first-shoot-later follow-up to a dangerously drawn-out, extra-sized first issue. Expectations have crept up a notch.

Alex + Ada #3 (Image): Most of all, I love the tone of the book. There’s a sincere tension that’s undeniable–and beautiful.

Alex + Ada #3

Egos #1 (Image): Worth a shot, I suppose.

Rat Queens #4 (Image): Every page is infested with rattitude! Wiebe and Upchurch gleefully give us a mischief of grrls, a swarm of snarky sword swingers doing their very best to make it in a man’s world! It’s not much more than that, really; but it doesn’t need to be, does it? Everyone needs a book like this in his or her bag.

Velvet #3 (Image): Bit of a slow build, sure, but Brubaker can take all the time he needs; I’ll be right here with him, Steve Epting, and their gorgeously cinematic and super smooth Velvet.

All-New X-Men #21 (Marvel): Well, it certainly seems like all of my complaining about the unevenness of Bendis’s writing has finally caught up to me. OK. No, it hasn’t.

Daredevil #35 (Marvel): Loved #34. It’s a “best of,” if you think about it: everything that Waid’s done well over the course of the series is played up to some effect in the issue. I know major changes are on the way; I just hope that Waid’s approach to handling Daredevil’s duality and crafting relationships–through lively dialogue, especially (something Bendis has struggled with on the X-titles)–is not one of them.

Daredevil #35

Miracleman #1 (Marvel): I have no idea what to expect with this. I’ve never read any Miracleman–or Marvelman for that matter–but I’m certainly willing to give it a try. Might take a miracle to keep me around, though. Seriously: have you seen this list?!

Uncanny X-Men #16 (Marvel): As a whole, it’s been more engaging than All-New X-Men. Yeah, that’s not saying much.

Archer & Armstrong #17 (Valiant): One of our Top Ten titles of 2013! Can’t wait to see what Van Lente and co. have in store for us this year! If it’s more of the same, all the better!

Archer & Armstrong #17

Harbinger #20 (Valiant): Dysart’s doing with Harbinger what I wish Bendis was doing with his X-books: writing an effin’ solid team book.

Unity #3 (Valiant): If I’m being honest, I’m keeping on ’cause of Kindt. I see more potential here than in any of his Marvel and DC work, which, as a whole, has been pretty blah even as he’s brought his unique narrative style into the mainstream mix.

Curse #1 (BOOM!): Another werewolf story? I hope not. I mean, Six-Gun Gorilla wasn’t just another gorilla story, was it? No, not even close. Time to go BOOM!

Curse #1

Imagine Agents #4 (BOOM!): This rounds out the series–which I haven’t started reading yet. Oops.

God Is Dead #5 (Avatar): Definitely on the dropping block. My interest is mostly dead–especially as Hickman’s participation in the creative process comes to its inevitable end.

The Sixth Gun #37 (Oni Press): One of the best monthlies around. Writing and art of the highest caliber from Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt, respectively.

Department of Monsterology #4 (Renegade): A monstrous surprise! I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. Sad to see it come to a close. Gosh, I hope Gordon Rennie and P.J. Holden have something else in store for us!